About Us
Photo by Candi LaCasse - Fest Fest 2021
Fetch Watersports & Safety LLC is owned and operated by A.J. & Cassie Miller. Cassie & A.J. started dating in 2001 and have been collaborating on projects ever since. Whether it was building their first home, getting married, their 2 kids (Mia & Olly), renovating their current home or starting Fetch Watersports and Safety LLC, they have always been great at seeing the potential in others as well as themselves.
A.J. started his love for the ocean as a young boy surfing Sunglow Pier and Ponce Inlet, he then began swimming for Spruce Creek High School, and came full circle by starting as an Ocean Rescue lifeguard in 2001. He immediately fell in love with the Sport of Lifesaving, being on a prone paddle board was a different aspect for a surfer to experience and he couldn’t get enough! He has now been competing for 20 years.
He then began to work with a select number of guards, creating workouts, critiquing and training with them in order to show them what the sport is all about. A.J.’s favorite part of racing and specifically the Sport of Lifesaving is the camaraderie that develops between competitors. You develop not only a support system locally, but meet lifeguards all over the United States that encourage you to elevate the sport.
He has continued to showcase his endurance in addition to his ability by competing in both Open and Age Group events, winning Top Male Points for the Southeast Region of USLA (United States Lifesaving Association) in 2015, 2017 & 2018 as well as National Titles, including 3rd Place Open American Iron in 2023 at USLA Nationals. In addition to competing in Regional and National Competitions, he has been an EMT since 2005, a Law Enforcement Officer from 2007-2023, a lifeguard recruit instructor for many years, certified CPR and First Aid instructor (through AHA) since 2011, coaches open water sports and is currently a Captain with Volusia County Beach Safety. He has acted as the Swim Course Director for the 2018 UANA Pan American Championships Open Water Swimming Competition, CLASH Endurance Triathlons (2019-current, averaging 1,500-2,000 athletes over each weekend event – Daytona, Miami and Watkins Glen) as well as St. Anthony’s Triathlon (2021-current, averaging 3,000 athletes including youth competitors). This includes hiring and managing lifeguards, designing the swim courses, troubleshooting based on additional logistics, weather and TV production and ensuring a safe experience for all competitors. A.J. has been setting open water courses for regional lifeguard competitions for over 10 years, including Fetch Fest Surf Lifesaving races for the past 5 years. His certifications include, Open Water Lifeguard, BLS Certificate & Instructor, ATV Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician (FL), USMS Open Water Certified Safety Director, USLA Lifeguard Officer Training Academy, FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) Instructor Techniques, Traffic Homicide Investigator, Jet-ski Operation and Rescue, Glock Cert. Armorer, Law Enforcement Certificate Critical Incident Stress Management, FBI LEADA Trilogy.
With A.J.’s over 20 years of experience in lifesaving and 15 as a law enforcement officer and supervisor he has the ability to maintain composure and control during stressful or high liability situations, including advanced training in incident command of fatal or mass casualty events.
Cassie Miller has a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management (including Event Planning) from The University of Central Florida, has worked in a variety of fields relating to sales and customer service all while continuing to host and plan events. Cassie is currently the Director of Operations and Partnerships for CLASH Endurance, an endurance sport company hosting triathlons and endurance events in the Eastern US (https://clashendurance.com/ ). This includes planning and logistics for endurance festival weekends with each event having anywhere from 11 to 24 races during that weekend. Cassie also handles all of the behind the scenes work for Fetch. Including lifeguard’s paperwork, scheduling, meeting and collaborating with other on-site emergency responders for event weekends and ensuring all Fetch and CLASH events run smoothly.
With this background we have focused not only on courses but specialize in creating the safest environment possible for competitors and spectators.
